Giambi Boys Make Way To A's Camp / An early entrance for irrepressible brothers

Susan Slusser, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published
4:00 am PST, Tuesday, February 22, 2000

2000-02-22 04:00:00 PDT Phoenix -- The brothers Giambi pulled into town two days early yesterday, although contrary to expectations, they did not arrive on matching Harleys. Instead, they drove separate cars and chatted on cell phones during their trip to Arizona.

"I didn't know where I was going, so I kept having to call Jason and say, 'What about this exit?' " said Jeremy Giambi, who had experienced spring training only in Florida until now.

The A's acquired Jeremy Giambi from Kansas City last week, so now he'll be playing alongside his big brother, first baseman Jason Giambi. The Oakland clubhouse is already a loose one, in large part because of the irrepressible Jason, but things might get even wackier with double Giambis.

"The rock stars are here," Jason Giambi announced as he strolled into the A's Papago Park facility wearing a cap with "THUG" inscribed on the front, his brother tagging along behind.

The marketing possibilities are terrific. General manager Billy Beane already is calling Jeremy Giambi "Mini-G," with an accompanying little finger in the corner of his mouth, and he also tried out a "Year G2K" slogan.

Jason Giambi has adopted the "Mini-G" moniker for his little brother, and Jeremy doesn't protest. "If that's the name Jason wants, it's fine with me," said Jeremy Giambi, who noted that they had spotted the real "Mini-Me" of Austin Powers fame in Las Vegas last week.

The brothers are best friends, so close that they own a house together in Las Vegas in the offseason and will share Jason Giambi's Hayward residence during the season. But they aren't exactly alike. Where Jason is loud and funny, Jeremy is a bit more reserved.

"I think Billy got Jeremy to slow me down," Jason Giambi said. "He's the more intellectual one, if that means anything at all. He has a little less hair than I do -- everyone thinks he's older. And his volume isn't turned up like mine."

Jeremy Giambi is also shorter and slighter than Jason, who showed up looking like a monster, with huge arms and shoulders. He said that he weighs 235 after spending the winter working out and following a strict high-protein diet -- truly a remarkable change for the junk-food junkie.

"I put on some weight, but it's good weight," said Jason Giambi, reporting that he had six egg whites and a chicken breast for breakfast. "I'm bigger and leaner than I was before."

Even with a new regimen in the offseason, it will be tough for Giambi to top his '99 season; he hit .315 with 33 homers and 123 RBIs, all career highs and one of the best all-around performances in club history. But at 29, Giambi is in his prime, and he is a pure hitter whose .296 career average is the highest in Oakland history. His numbers have improved every season, so he doesn't see why that can't happen again.

"I hope I can get better," he said. "I hope I'm just beginning to put things together."

While Jason Giambi was the team's MVP last year, Jeremy Giambi, 25, is something of an unknown quantity, because he hasn't received regular playing time in the big leagues and has been shuttled around from the outfield to first base. He primarily will play the corner outfield spots, first base and DH in a utility capacity, but Jason Giambi touts his brother's ability to play center, and manager Art Howe said he'll try to get his new player some time there this spring to see if he can fill in there on occasion.

"My biggest goal is just to come in and make the team," Jeremy Giambi said. "I'm not going to insinuate anything. If the opportunity is there, that's all I can ask."

NOTES: Other position players who arrived in camp early were DH John Jaha, left fielder Ben Grieve and center fielder Ryan Christenson. Rich Becker, who platoons in center with Christenson, has been working out at the Papago Park facility since Friday. Rule V draftee Bo Porter, who is competing for an outfield spot, also reported early.

Howe said that his negotiations for a new contract are going well. "We're real close," said Howe, who is signed through the end of the 2000 season.

Justin Miller, who came over from the Tigers in a deal for Jimmy Haynes in the offseason, is the only Class-A pitcher in camp, but Howe liked what he saw yesterday. "He has an excellent arm and he's a little deceptive, a little funky," Howe said. "He has a nice splitter and kept the ball down. You figure a guy who's only played A-ball would be a little nervous, but he has good composure." Miller is wearing Haynes' old number, 51.

Howe also was impressed with Luis Vizcaino, a right-hander who has a shot at the last bullpen spot.